[Verse 1]
In 1841
I put my corduroy breeches on
I put my corduroy breeches on
To work upon the railway

[Chorus]
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
To work upon the railway

[Verse 2]
In 1842
I left the Old World for the new
But just for the luck that brought me through
To work upon the railway

[Chorus]
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
To work upon the railway

[Verse 3]
In 1843
'Twas then I met Miss Biddy McGhee
And an elegant wife she made for me
While workin' on the railway
[Chorus]
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
To work upon the railway

[Verse 4]
In 1846
They pelted me with stones and bricks
I was in an awful fix
For workin' on the railway, hey

[Chorus]
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
To work upon the railway

[Verse 5]
In 1847
Sweet Biddy McGhee, she went to Heaven
She left one child, she left eleven
To work upon the railway, hey

[Chorus]
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
To work upon the railway
[Verse 6]
In 1848
I learned to drink my whiskey straight
An elegant drink that can't be beat
For workin' on the railway

[Chorus]
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
To work upon the railway

[Outro]
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-oh-ree-oh-ree-ay
Fee-lee-me-feel-lee-me-oh-ree-ay
To work upon the railway